Egyptian star Lucy announced a serious intention to retire from acting, citing a lack of artistic appreciation and limited roles. Speaking in a recent television interview, the veteran performer discussed her career, a family history of abduction, and behind-the-scenes tensions on television sets.
The veteran performer opened up about her career trajectory in a wide-ranging television appearance on the Warqa Beda program broadcast via Al-Nahar channel, revealing that she is seriously considering stepping away from the screen to focus entirely on her family and private life. Her final television appearance came in the 2025 Ramadan drama Fahd El Batal. The decision stems from inadequate artistic and financial recognition, alongside scripts that fall short of her decades-long career in Egyptian cinema, television, and dance.
Lucy Weighs Retirement Over Limited Roles
Most television scripts offered to her arrive exclusively for the Ramadan drama season, and many characters carry limited impact that fails to match her professional standing. She noted that she never cultivated a habit of chasing producers or directors for work, nor does she feel compelled to force her presence on any production company despite her prominent name in the industry.
I am an actress with a big name and a cheap price.
Lucy, via Al-Nahar television interview
Rather than demanding exorbitant financial terms, she seeks the literary and artistic appreciation that her history deserves while also addressing rumors and behind-the-scenes friction during recent television productions. Outlets reporting on her remarks noted that her final television appearance came in the 2025 Ramadan drama Fahd El Batal.
Strange Events Disrupting Al-Maddah Set
During her television appearance, she recounted unusual occurrences during the filming of the third season of Al-Maddah: Asheq Legend, where she portrayed the jinni Hind Bint Al-Ahmar in Fayoum. She described how work halted for a full day due to strange disruptions, including large false eyelashes blowing away and heavy doors resisting the wind, followed by a television screen unexpectedly falling off a wall in her room despite secure mounting.
It is shameful of him to call me a liar. He is a respected and great artist and I love working with him, but I am not a liar.
Lucy, via Al-Masry Al-Youm
Early Independence Shaping Personal Life
Beyond television sets, she shared formative personal details, including an extraordinary family history involving her mother being abducted during childhood and remaining absent from the family for years before returning, a dramatic ordeal she believes belongs in a feature film.
Entering the workforce at a very early age to support her family following disputes between her parents’ households, she established her independence before marrying businessman Sultan El Kashf at age 16. She described him as her first and last love, crediting him with helping her develop her intellect, learn conversational etiquette, and follow global events while supporting her artistic ambitions.
Motherhood also reshaped her outlook through her son Fathy, making her more patient and reordering her priorities. She defended actor Ahmed Elawady against accusations of disrespecting women while praising Yasmine Abdel Aziz, and dismissed criticism regarding a viral North Coast festival video as social media exaggeration amplified by microphones and trending algorithms. Her career spans decades across Egyptian cinema, television, and dance.
